{"id":34461,"date":"2022-09-25T09:53:39","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T04:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/?p=34461"},"modified":"2025-08-12T21:04:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T15:34:34","slug":"anxious-patients-before-dental-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/anxious-patients-before-dental-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Anxious patients before dental treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Every patient feels anxious or nervous before going to the dentist<\/a>. It\u2019s natural to feel this way, as you never know what they might find during your appointment. Dental treatment can be painful and it\u2019s not uncommon for people to experience fear when thinking about dental work. At the same time, people with a high level of anxiety tend to avoid going to the dentist because they are afraid of getting a procedure done. Luckily, there are ways in which you can manage your anxiety in order to get that dental treatment you need. While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, some people experience it more frequently than others and these individuals are identified as having an anxiety disorder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
Call Now<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Get In Touch<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dental anxiety before treatment<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dental anxiety is\u00a0fear,\u00a0anxiety\u00a0or\u00a0stress\u00a0associated with a dental setting. Things like needles, drills or the dental setting in general can trigger dental anxiety. When dental anxiety is severe and causes irrational fear and avoiding going to the dentist, it can be classified as a dental phobia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"dental\r\n
anxious patients go for dental treatment<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some mental health conditions including\u00a0generalised anxiety disorder\u00a0and\u00a0post-traumatic stress disorder\u00a0(PTSD), or a previous history of head and neck trauma can increase the risk of a person experiencing dental anxiety. Other conditions such as\u00a0depression,\u00a0bipolar disorder\u00a0or\u00a0schizophrenia\u00a0may also increase the risk of anxiety disorder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Causes of dental anxiety and treatment phobia<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Traumatic dental experience<\/a> or other healthcare experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Previous trauma to the head and neck.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Other traumatic experiences, including abuse<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"dental\r\n
Dentophobia concept. Scared young woman looking at anxious patients<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Generalised anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fear of loss of control<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Trust issues<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Anxiety associated with other conditions such as\u00a0agoraphobia\u00a0(fear of being in situations where you feel you cannot escape),\u00a0claustrophobia\u00a0(fear of closed spaces) or\u00a0obsessive compulsive disorder\u00a0where there is an obsession around cleanliness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ask your dentist if they can give sedation<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you are truly suffering from severe anxiety and are experiencing extreme fear, it can be a good idea to ask your dentist if you can have a sedative. This is usually prescribed for people who suffer from extreme dental anxiety. While there are several types of sedatives dental patients can take, different dentists have different guidelines for which patients would be prescribed what kind of sedation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
Call Now<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Get In Touch<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Make sure to talk to your dentist about the types of sedation, as well as the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision based on your personal situation. If you do happen to take a sedative, make sure you have a friend or family member drive you home from the dentist. You should also notify the receptionist or dental assistant that you have taken a sedative so they can help look out for any potential side effects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"Conscious\r\n
Doctor in medical mask and protective clothes standing with an anesthesia mask in her hand<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Utilise breathing exercises before dental treatment<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you are one of those people who has tried everything and is still experiencing severe anxiety while visiting the dentist, it might be a good idea to try some breathing exercises. A lot of people don\u2019t realize that breathing exercises can be helpful in managing anxiety. Here are some breathing exercises you can try if you suffer from dental anxiety. Breathing in for four seconds followed by a ten-second hold until you exhale for four seconds – Counting to ten while breathing in and twenty while you are holding <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\r\n